Ilan Tenenbaum, a veteran member of the town, said the residents always have been ready to help the IDF to defend themselves. "We want to show and emphasize that we are continuing to our struggle by faith and not with any intention" to harm. He added that people are turning in their personal handguns as well as their army-issued rifles which are used on guard duty and in emergencies.
The weapons were decorated with orange, the color symbolizing the struggle against the government plan to hand over 25 Jewish communities in Gaza and northern Samaria to the Palestinian Authority (PA) after expelling the Jewish residents. The expulsion is scheduled to start in two weeks.
He emphasized that the ceremony of surrendering the weapons was on the initiative of the residents and not because of any pressure from the Defense Ministry Shaul Mofaz, who earlier has stated that the IDF will take back the rifles.
One of the organizers of the event said, "We are not in a war and not against the IDF. They are our soldiers. We will use our tools of faith to fight the expulsion. We have said love will conquer and this is not just a slogan. It is the truth. The army now will have to take the responsibility itself."
The weapons were decorated with orange, the color symbolizing the struggle against the government plan to hand over 25 Jewish communities in Gaza and northern Samaria to the Palestinian Authority (PA) after expelling the Jewish residents. The expulsion is scheduled to start in two weeks.
He emphasized that the ceremony of surrendering the weapons was on the initiative of the residents and not because of any pressure from the Defense Ministry Shaul Mofaz, who earlier has stated that the IDF will take back the rifles.
One of the organizers of the event said, "We are not in a war and not against the IDF. They are our soldiers. We will use our tools of faith to fight the expulsion. We have said love will conquer and this is not just a slogan. It is the truth. The army now will have to take the responsibility itself."